Manassas Resident Brett Reistad in 2019 Rose Parade

Manassas resident Brett Reistad waves to the crowd in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade as a part of a contingency with The American Legion. Reistad is currently serving as the National Commander of The American Legion. He is pictured here (right) with Lieutenant Commander Raymond Jackson of the U.S. Coast Guard. (Photo by Mitch Viquez/American Legion)

Provided by American Legion

The American Legion kicked off 2019 by celebrating the organization’s 100th anniversary in the Rose Parade. The American Legion is the nation’s largest wartime veterans service organization and the float theme highlighted a century of advocating for veterans, servicemembers and their families while providing impactful programs that have shaped the fabric of communities across America.

Completely covered with flowers or other natural materials, the float featured a 19-foot tall American bald eagle with a 40-foot wing span outstretched over four pillars representing the mission of The American Legion — Youth, Americanism, National Security and Veterans. On the base of the float was a floral celebration of the American flag led by a field of red poppies, which symbolize the service and sacrifice of the servicemembers who paid the ultimate price while protecting our nation’s freedoms.

“It was such a pleasure to participate in the 2019 Rose Parade and share our centennial message of ‘Still Serving America’,’’ said Brett Reistad, national commander of The American Legion. “The Rose Parade was an excellent opportunity to showcase the legacy and vision of The American Legion and to highlight the many American Legion programs and services that impact communities across America.”

Riders on the float included four Medal of Honor recipients, the national commanders of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion and a representative from each of the five branches of the U.S. armed forces. The float also featured participants from many signature programs of The American Legion, including Reistad of Manassas who is serving as the national commander for the organization during its centennial year.